Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, has slammed Bisi Akande, the former governor of Osun State, for claiming that the 2020 #EndSARS protest across Nigeria was orchestrated by Obi’s supporters, also known as Obidients, to derail the current president, Bola Tinubu’s ambition.
Obi and the Obedient Movement condemned Akande’s narrative as an attempt to alter history, noting that it was disrespectful to the memories of #EndSARS victims, particularly those who died.
The statewide #EndSARS demonstration, which lasted from October 7 to 20, began with a demand for the disbandment of the notorious police wing known as the Special Anti-Robbery Squad but quickly expanded into a demand for decent governance.
There were clashes between protestors and security personnel, especially in Lagos State, when troops allegedly opened fire on unarmed protesters at the Lekki Tollgate.
In a recent podcast hosted by famous broadcaster Edmund Obilo, Akande stated that the #EndSARS demonstration was staged by Obidients to derail Tinubu’s presidential ambition.
According to him, the movement was heavily sponsored through international donations.
“The Obidients were behind the #EndSARS. It was manufactured in America and brought in just to stop him (Tinubu). I said the Obidients; I didn’t say Obi.
“They came from America to do the #EndSARS and later became a movement to form a party. They couldn’t form a party. It was well planned and organised with a lot of money from America,” the octogenarian asserted.
However, in a conversation with our correspondent on Thursday, Obi’s media adviser, Umar Ibrahim, slammed Akande, calling his allegations false and insensitive to those who perished during the rally.
He said, “The allegations are not only misleading but also divisive. It is unfortunate Akande would suggest that the Obidient Movement was behind the #EndSARS protests, and even more astonishing that he would imply it was orchestrated to prevent a particular individual from becoming president.
“Well, let me be clear: the movement is a grassroots phenomenon that emerged organically, driven by the passion and dedication of Nigerians who are committed to creating a better future for our country. It’s a movement that transcends partisan politics and is focused on promoting good governance, accountability, and inclusive development.
“The #EndSARS protests, on the other hand, were a spontaneous response to the widespread discontent and frustration among Nigerian youth regarding issues of police brutality, corruption, and economic inequality. It’s a testament to the resilience and determination of our young people, who are demanding a more just and equitable society.
“To conflate these two distinct phenomena is not only inaccurate but also unfair to the millions of Nigerians who are genuinely committed to creating positive change. We urge former governor Akande to refrain from making unsubstantiated claims that can only serve to further polarise our society.”
Similarly, Tanko Yunusa, the National Coordinator of the Obedient Movement Worldwide, called Akande’s narrative an insult to the memory of all #EndSARS victims, particularly those who died.
He said, “The Obidient movement outright rejects the baseless and revisionist claim by former Governor Bisi Akande. His false narrative is not only an insult to the memory of the young Nigerians who lost their lives in the fight against police brutality but also a desperate attempt to rewrite history and shift blame for the government’s failures.
“#EndSARS was a decentralised, youth-led movement demanding an end to police brutality, extrajudicial killings, and systemic oppression in Nigeria. It was not about politics, nor was it about any single individual’s presidential ambition.
“Rather than engaging in revisionist propaganda, we urge Akande and his associates to focus on addressing the real issues facing Nigerians today—economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment, and bad governance. The people are suffering, and no amount of misinformation or historical distortion will change that reality.”
